# NTSB CEN26LA101: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N916VK, Sullivan, MO, January 29, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 29, 2026, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Sullivan, MO - Coordinates: 38.212926, -91.089232 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2129&lon=-91.0892&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 19, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 202365 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA101 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202365/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202365 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA101 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during low-level operations. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated while conducting a wildlife survey the helicopter contacted and severed a powerline which resulted in the separation of the main rotor system at the rotor mast. The fuselage and tail boom came to rest inverted and submerged in a river. The pilot stated there were no issues with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N916VK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N916VK-2026-09-21), registration cancelled 2026-09-21, S/N 11162, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii) (registry code 7640122) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 11162 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 7145 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 245 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Registered owner: November Alpha LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 2025, 15 hours before - Departed: UUV, Sullivan, MO - Airport: UUV, Sullivan Rgnl - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 31, 2025; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 7,185 total, 6,500 in this make and model, 6,800 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: KUUV, 4 nm away - METAR: METAR KUUV 291855Z AUTO 07009KT 10SM CLR 00/M12 A3025 RMK AO2 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20260129000929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260129000929A), Jan 29, 2026: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Sullivian, MO, Substantial damage. The airman had completed arial survey operations and was en route to conduct a passenger exchange. The airman was operating approximately 40 feet above the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 19, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202365. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19962367&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=REDACT%202_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20024106&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Aray%20CEN26LA101-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.